New to Spyder World - Looking for some advice

[Fjrwillie]

First a little about me. Ride a FJR right now. Do a fair amount of multiple day trips, but generally under 4 days now. Use to be on the road for 17+ days at a time. Ride 2 up. GF can no longer mount the FJR, she can't swing her leg over. Oh age me 64 and generally out of shape. I do a lot of Grand Tours. For instance on Friday and Saturday did a 850+ loop stopping at 37 towns for a pic of a sign with the town name, my grand tour flag and a substantial part of the bike in the pic. This was solo and GF wants to come along.

That's is kind of a summary of how I ride. For farkles (I assume that term transfers over here) I run dual GPS's and that's about it. No heated vests, no music, tank bag for carrying my cameras and we do have an in helmet Bluetooth communication.

I have narrowed the Spyders down to the ST or the RT. I will probably go with the semi automatic. Not interested in the Zumo or mount. we over the top for cost. For the ST we will order a back rest and at a minimum the rigid side bags (unless there is an aftermarket soft bags available).

With all of that said, what are y'all's recommendation. I think this is essentially working down to the difference between the 998 and 1330 motors. I did like the seat on the ST-S a whole lot better than the RT.

Greatly appreciate the responses.

Willie

 

[Highwayman2013]

Welcome!

For the long rides I would go with the RT and there are some great deals on the new ones right now. Plus the 1330 is a lower RPM motor with more torque and fuel mileage plus it runs cooler for the rider. The base RT is a fine machine and there are many seats available to change the feel. The storage on the RT is also great.

 

[Bob Denman]

:welcome:
The RT might be your better choice, if you like piling on the miles. :thumbup:
It'll give you much better fuel economy with the 1330 triple, and the maintenance routine is significantly reduced as well.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

FIRST THING

Because of your main concern, you need to go to a showroom with your GF and see if She can get on any Spyder......If not your search is to find something else.........and if money is a concern check with IMotorsports they have an AD here and are currently selling 2015's at very very good prices and they will ship it to you for free.....................jmho, Mike :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: It's time to try out some saddles... :thumbup:
Happy Hunting!

 

[Fjrwillie]

Because of your main concern, you need to go to a showroom with your GF and see if She can get on any Spyder......If not your search is to find something else.........and if money is a concern check with IMotorsports they have an AD here and are currently selling 2015's at very very good prices and they will ship it to you for free.....................jmho, Mike :thumbup:

We have been to the show room and sat on both. She did as well. Yes she can easily mount the Spyder. Much easier than mounting a FJR. Where do I find these ads. New to this site.

Willie

Edited...found IMotorsports...google is a very good friend...thank you
EndEdit

 

[easysuper]

Advice

For touring it's hard to beat the RTs, they have plenty of room for storage and with a trailer you can bring everything she needs to be comfortable,
My wife felt so secure and safe on one she went out and bought her own and this was the first bike she ever rode by herself , she has 18,000 miles on it in the last 7 months.

 

[Fjrwillie]

For touring it's hard to beat the RTs, they have plenty of room for storage and with a trailer you can bring everything she needs to be comfortable,
My wife felt so secure and safe on one she went out and bought her own and this was the first bike she ever rode by herself , she has 18,000 miles on it in the last 7 months.

Thanks for the response. As far as traveling and what we bring...we are able to travel on the FJR with the 2 side bags (about the size of the ones on the ST Touring one and a Givi trunk for well over 3 weeks. Actually our space requirements for packing is the same no matter how long the trips are. Our mantra if we really need something we can buy it at a Walmart while we are traveling.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

:welcome:

It sounds like the ST with the side bags would work for you as well as the RT. Then I'd compare the two for other features. For me, the 1330 triple would seal the deal for the RT.

 

[Fjrwillie]

:welcome:

It sounds like the ST with the side bags would work for you as well as the RT. Then I'd compare the two for other features. For me, the 1330 triple would seal the deal for the RT.

I thought I was all set on the ST but then I got to thinking since we need a backrest and the larger engine just might be more suited for our trips. While I am not an over the top speed rider on the bike, I am not a turtle either. I have priced out the RT with the accessories I would want and it is a very attractive option. The St is sexier looking but I will never see it since my eyes will following the curves

Willie

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

THE 1330 MOTOR

Bob D. likes the " v-twin " for touring but I dis-agree big - time.......And if you option out an ST with cases etc.....It's going to cost quite a bit more than an RT and you are going to give up a bunch of other stuff to boot......IMotorsports is selling BASIC RT's with semi-auto trans for $ 19,000 shipped to your door.........that's un-believable...............and it has the 1330 .......Mike :thumbup:

 

[Fjrwillie]

:welcome:
The RT might be your better choice, if you like piling on the miles. :thumbup:
It'll give you much better fuel economy with the 1330 triple, and the maintenance routine is significantly reduced as well.

Why is maintenance significantly reduced?? Hmmm you said routine...does that mean scheduled maintenance ??

Willie

 

[Fjrwillie]

Bob D. likes the " v-twin " for touring but I dis-agree big - time.......And if you option out an ST with cases etc.....It's going to cost quite a bit more than an RT and you are going to give up a bunch of other stuff to boot......IMotorsports is selling BASIC RT's with semi-auto trans for $ 19,000 shipped to your door.........that's un-believable...............and it has the 1330 .......Mike :thumbup:

I saw that...tried calling them, however they don't open til 10...hey hey its 10:30 EST...they gotta be centrai. eh??

I see you are from Vermont...I was in your neighborhood for the 850 miler. Worked my way up RT 9 in NY and cutover to Starksboro, then Charlotte. Spent the night in South Burlington, grabbed the Whispering Giant in Battery Park and worked my way south bobbing and weaving on your back roads.

Willie

 

[Chupaca]

Choices choices..!!

Welcome to the best place to get an answer or very confused...:roflblack: I see you went to the showroom and sat on some spyders but the best test is the ryde. Test ryde them both to better see the difference. The different models all have their purpose to suit the many ryding styles. From what you posted it would seem the RT would work out best and you would probably save that step from the ST to the RT that many make. Happy hunting is is fun finding out...:thumbup:

 

[PrairieSpyder]

Why is maintenance significantly reduced?? Hmmm you said routine...does that mean scheduled maintenance ??

Willie

The 2014 or later RT maintenance is 3000 miles before the first oil change and then every 9600 miles thereafter. For the v-twin models, it's 600 miles for the first and then every 3000 or so miles after that.

 

[Pirate looks at --]

But

Thanks for the response. As far as traveling and what we bring...we are able to travel on the FJR with the 2 side bags (about the size of the ones on the ST Touring one and a Givi trunk for well over 3 weeks. Actually our space requirements for packing is the same no matter how long the trips are. Our mantra if we really need something we can buy it at a Walmart while we are traveling.

Admirable but then yiu have to go to a Walmart! Yuk!

 

[Fjrwillie]

The 2014 or later RT maintenance is 3000 miles before the first oil change and then every 9600 miles thereafter. For the v-twin models, it's 600 miles for the first and then every 3000 or so miles after that.

So if I go the IMotorsport route, I'll ask for some more money off and fly out there and ride home..It would be less than 3000 miles One the bike it would a SS1K in the IBA world. Well it is shy by about 30 miles to my home.

Willie

 

[Fjrwillie]

Admirable but then yiu have to go to a Walmart! Yuk!

I did say I was a minimalist (sp?). Target is lit to brightly for me and the people are no where near as interesting.

Willie

 

[PMK]

After some thought...Is it possible for you to hold off until Can Am 2016 models are shown at Sturgis in about 10 days.

I have not been reading the "speculation" posts here, but personally could be patient and see what will be 2016.

If they do discontinue the V twin series or have the ST become a 1330 triple powered machine, it may be a good choice based on what you are leaving with the Yamaha.

If there is nothing spectacular except Bold New Graphics, find a deal and go with it.

In our house, I truly would have wanted the ST series. In the end, we got an RTs. Granted the riding position is different. The overall RTs is more Goldwingy to me, but no doubt still kind of cool.

I have no time on an ST series. I will ask others though. Since we don't lean, is an ST the type of riding a passenger would enjoy on longer runs?

My wife always says she is fine with the machine and her comfort. I have thrown the BS flag on her several times and if I were tell her I was removing the Corbin seat and armrests I suspect she would show teeth as if I taking a bone from a dog...a mean old dog.

Good luck on deciding. Sorry I don't have an answer. But again, I would be patient to decide for at least a week.

Maybe they will come out with a newer 1330 based on the F3 style but set it up more ST purpose. Don't know but then again anything is possible.

PK

Correcting my dates, it's this Friday...Open the thumbnail to see what was posted for date and time.

 

[Commander]

I am sure you have done it, but go on the can am web site and compare the two side by side to see if there is a option on one of them that would strike your fancy, like the GPS, extra lights, shocks etc.

Good luck